Newsletter

5 things to know in Florida for Feb. 12

Your daily look at news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today.

FORMER STATE GOP CHIEF PLEADS GUILTY

Ex-chairman of the Republican Party of Florida Jim Greer pleaded guilty to theft and money laundering charges Monday just before jury selection in his case was set to begin. He pleaded guilty to four counts of theft and one count of money laundering for funneling money from the GOP to a company he set up. He faces a minimum of 3 1/2 years and a maximum of 35 years when he's sentenced March 27.

MIAMI DOLPHINS OK REFERENDUM ON STADIUM

Even if voters in Miami-Dade County approve using tax money to help upgrade Dolphins Stadium, a deal might be contingent on the NFL awarding the city the 2016 Super Bowl. Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Ginenez says he doesn't want to be "eligible" for things. He wants to "actually land something." The Dolphins believe passage by Miami-Dade County voters would help the chance of the plan's approval by the Florida Legislature.

STATE: DISABLED KIDS TO GET CARE AT HOME

Florida will assign care coordinators to about 1,600 disabled children amid federal charges that the state was cutting in-home services and essentially forcing kids into nursing homes.

CONTEST SEEKS UNDERWORLDLY NAMES FOR PLUTO

Want to name Pluto's smallest moons? Astronomers have announced a contest to name the two moons discovered over the past two years. Three of Pluto's moons have already been named Charon, Nix and Hydra. To the two new moons must have similar names. Online voting will last two weeks.

TESTIMONY FROM PAKISTAN IN FLORIDA TERROR TRIAL

A defense witnesses testifying from Pakistan says a South Florida imam did not send money overseas to finance the Pakistani Taliban terror group. Ali Rehman testified Monday via a video link from Islamabad that he often handled transactions between 77-year-old Hafiz Khan and Khan's family members. Rehman says the money was mainly for the family's personal and business needs, including operating a potato chip factory in Pakistan.